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Spellbound (2002/I)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Release Date:
10 October 2003 (UK)
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Genre:
Tagline:
EVERYONE WANTS THE LAST WORD more
Plot:
Spellbound follows eight teenagers on their quest to win the 1999 National Spelling Bee. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 14 wins
&
7 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Big Beach Films gamble on Jeffrey Blitz's new docu
(From ioncinema. 20 December 2007)
Interview: Jeffrey Blitz
(From ioncinema. 7 August 2007)
(From ioncinema. 20 December 2007)
Interview: Jeffrey Blitz
(From ioncinema. 7 August 2007)
User Comments:
Jon Monsarrat review: flawless
more (100 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Angela Arenivar | ... | Herself - Spelling Bee Participant |
| Ubaldo Arenivar | ... | Himself - Angela's Father (as Ubaldo) |
| Jorge Arenivar | ... | Himself - Angela's Brother (as Jorge) |
| Mr. Scott McGarraugh | ... | Himself - Ranch Owner (as Mr. McGarraugh) |
| Mrs. Lindy McGarraugh | ... | Herself - Ranch Owner (as Mrs. McGarraugh) |
| Concepción Arenivar | ... | Herself - Angela's Mother (as Concepción) |
| Mrs. Slaughter | ... | Herself - Angela's Teacher |
| Neelima Marupudi | ... | Herself - Potter County Champion (as Neelima) |
| Nupur Lala | ... | Herself - Spelling Bee Participant |
| Ms. Whitehurst | ... | Herself - Nupur's Teacher |
| Parag Lala | ... | Himself - Nupur's Father (as Parag) |
| Meena Lala | ... | Herself - Nupur's Mother (as Meena) |
| Kuna Lala | ... | Himself - Nupur's Brother (as Kuna) |
| Ted Brigham | ... | Himself - Spelling Bee Participant |
| Ms. Blair | ... | Herself - Tes's Teacher |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
97 min | Canada:95 min (Toronto International Film Festival)
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:L |
USA:TV-G (TV rating) |
Finland:K-3 |
Australia:G |
Singapore:G |
Sweden:Btl |
UK:U |
USA:G
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Quotes:
Harry Altman:
[pointing to the boom microphone] Is this thing edible?
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Movie Connections:
Featured in The 50 Greatest Documentaries (2005) (TV)
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FAQ
Recognising the spellersChapter Headings, a semi-official version
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more (100 total)
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Spellbound is a surprisingly moving film, because it is not really about spelling, but about hopes and dreams. There's a lot of love in the film, and it's interesting how different families have different approaches... all the way from hands-off parents to parents hiring drill coaches. The film does a good job of showing the backgrounds of the kids and presenting their personalities. I found myself trying to spell right along with them (unsuccessfully).
Spelling bees promote the worst kind of rote learning, especially when the kids are faced with words they will never use in real life. That's thousands of hours either totally wasted or to be less critical, hours that could have been put to better use, for example, learning creative writing or public speaking. Even so, as one parent says, this is practice to form a habit of perseverance for the future.
The pacing and music were perfect, the way the challenge was presented was clear and straightforward. Excellent film.
Who should see this film:
-- Kids of all ages
-- Everyone else. It's not at all boring.
I'll give Spellbound a perfect 10 out of 10.